Dhaka, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Shafiqur Rahman, has proclaimed that a woman cannot hold the position of party chief due to religious obligations and biological constraints.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, when questioned about the potential for a female leader, Shafiqur Rahman firmly stated, "It’s not possible. This is because Allah created everyone with distinct roles. A man cannot bear children, and thus cannot fulfill certain responsibilities."

He elaborated that men also cannot breastfeed, underlining the God-given differences between genders. He concluded, "What Allah has created, we cannot alter."

When prompted about the representation of women in the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, he indicated that not a single woman would be contesting on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami, attributing this to timing and the prevailing political culture.

He remarked, "You won’t notice a significant number of women in other parties either, as this reflects the cultural context of Bangladesh. However, we are preparing for change."

While discussing past instances of female leadership in Bangladesh, such as the Prime Ministership of Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, Shafiqur Rehman reiterated his position, asserting, "Even many countries globally do not find this feasible. This is the reality of the world."

The upcoming 13th Parliamentary elections, scheduled for February 12, 2024, are notable for the absence of the Awami League and the low representation of women candidates.

According to reports, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has banned the Awami League, leading to questions regarding the legitimacy of the elections. Additionally, increasing lawlessness and intolerance towards women under Yunus's administration have contributed to the lack of female candidates, as noted in an article by Eurasia Review.

Although women have historically held the right to vote and have produced two female Prime Ministers, the current election sees a stark decrease in women's representation. Senior journalist P K Balachandran pointed out that of the 51 registered political entities contesting, over 30, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have not nominated any women candidates. Out of 2,568 nomination papers filed, only 109 were submitted by women, representing a mere 4.24%.

Following revisions, 1,981 candidates are now in the running, with only 76 females, accounting for just 3.84% of the total. The Election Commission reports 64.81 million male voters and 62.87 million female voters registered.

Among the 51 parties, few have included women in their nominations. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) nominated women for 15 constituencies, but only 11 were validated. Other parties have also nominated a limited number of women.

The rise in gender-based violence has been cited as a reason for women's retreat from electoral politics. Dr. Fauzia Moslem, head of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, attributes this to the heightened rhetoric from radical groups aiming to restrict women's participation in society.